Semiconductor light emitting device and method of fabricating the same

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor light emitting device comprises a first electrode contacting layer, a first active layer on the first electrode contacting layer, a second electrode contacting layer on the first active layer, a second active layer on the second electrode contacting layer, and a third electrode contacting layer on the second active layer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor light emitting device and a method of fabricating the same.

BACKGROUND ART

Light emitting diode (LED) can emit light with a variety of colors using properties of compound semiconductor materials such as a GaAs-based coupound, an AlGaAs-based compound, a GaN-based compound, an InGaN-based material, and an InGaAlP-based material. The light emitting diodes are packaged and used as light sources in a variety of fields such as a lightening display field, a character display field, and an image display field.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Embodiments provide a semiconductor light emitting device that is designed to emit light through a plurality of active layers and a method of fabricating the same.

Embodiments provide a semiconductor light emitting device that is designed to enlarge an effective light emitting area using a plurality of active layers.

Technical Solution

An embodiment provides a semiconductor light emitting device comprising: a first electrode contacting layer, a first active layer on the first electrode contacting layer, a second electrode contacting layer on the first active layer, a second active layer on the second electrode contacting layer, and a third electrode contacting layer on the second active layer.

An embodiment provides a semiconductor light emitting device comprising: a plurality of first electrode contacting layers spaced apart from each other, a second electrode contacting layer between the first electrode contacting layers, a plurality of active layers between the first and second electrode contacting layers, and a first electrode electrically connected to the first electrode contacting layers.

An embodiment provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor light emitting device comprising: forming a first electrode contacting layer, forming a first active layer on the first electrode contacting layer, forming a second electrode contacting layer on the first active layer, forming a second active layer on the second electrode contacting layer, and forming a third electrode contacting layer on the second active layer.

Advantageous Effects

According to the embodiments, the effective light emitting area can enlarged as compared to a chip size of the semiconductor light emitting device.

In addition, a density of a current supplied to the semiconductor light emitting device can be reduced, the efficiency of the light emitting device can be improved.

Further, the reliability of the semiconductor light emitting device can be improved.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor light emitting device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a current path of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a semiconductor light emitting device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a light emitting diode of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a semiconductor light emitting device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a semiconductor light emitting device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating mounting of the semiconductor light emitting device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating mounting of a semiconductor light emitting device according to a fourth embodiment

FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating flip-type mounting of the semiconductor light emitting device according to the first embodiment.

FIGS. 10 to 12 are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of fabricating a semiconductor device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of mounting of a semiconductor light emitting device according to the fifth embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, semiconductor light emitting devices in accordance with embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, words “above”, “on”, “below”, and “under” are based on the accompanying drawings. In addition, a thickness of each layer is only exemplarily illustrated in the drawings and is not limited to the drawing.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor light emitting device according to a first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, a semiconductor light emitting device 100 comprises a substrate 111, a first electrode contacting layer 113, a first active layer 115, a second electrode contacting layer 117, a second active layer 119, a third electrode contacting layer 121, first electrodes 131 and 133, and a second electrode 135.

The substrate 111 may be formed of one selected from the group consisting of a sapphire (Al₂O₃) substrate, a GaN substrate, a SiC substrate, a ZnO substrate, a Si substrate, a GaP substrate, a substrate containing metal, or a conductive substrate.

A buffer layer (not shown) is formed on the substrate 111. The buffer layer may be formed of at least one of GaN, AlN, AlGaN, InGaN, and AlGaInN. An undoped semiconductor layer (not shown) may be formed on the substrate 111 or the buffer layer (not shown). The undoped semiconductor layer may be formed of undoped GaN.

The first electrode contacting layer 113 is formed on the substrate 111. The first electrode contacting layer 113 comprises at least one n-type semiconductor layer and doped with n-type dopants. The n-type semiconductor layer may be formed of a compound semiconductor material selected from the group consisting of GaN, InN, AlN, InGaN, AlGaN, InAlGaN, AlInN, and a combination thereof. The n-type dopants comprise IV group elements such as Si, Ge, Sn, Se, Te, and the like.

The first active layer 115 is formed on the first electrode contacting layer 113. The first active layer 115 may be formed in a single quantum well structure or a multi-quantum well structure. The first active layer 115 is formed of a material having a band gap energy in accordance with a wavelength of light emitted. For example, for blue light-emitting having a wavelength of 460-470 nm, the first active layer 115 may be formed of the single quantum well structure or a multi-quantum well structure with one cycle of a InGaN well layer/GaN barrier layer. Here, the In_(x)Ga_(1−x)N well layer may be adjusted to satisfy the following: 0≦x≦1. The first active layer 115 may comprise a material emitting colored light such as light having a blue wavelength, light having a red wavelength, and light having a green wavelength.

The second electrode contacting layer 117 is formed on the first active layer 115. The second electrode contacting layer 117 comprises at least one p-type semiconductor layer and doped with p-type dopants. The p-type semiconductor layer may be formed of a compound semiconductor material selected from the group consisting of GaN, InN, AlN, InGaN, AlGaN, InAlGaN, AlInN, and a combination thereof. The p-type dopants comprise a II group element such as Mg, Zn, Ca, Sr, Ba, and the like.

The second active layer 119 is formed on the second electrode contacting layer 117. The second active layer 119 is formed of a same material as the first active layer 115. For example, the second active layer 119 may be grown as an InGaN well layer/GaN barrier layer structure. However, a material for the first and second active layers 115 and 119 are not specifically limited. That is, the material for the first and second active layers 115 and 119 may vary in accordance with the wavelength of light that will be emitted. Growing cycles of the well layer/barrier layer structures of the respective first and second active layers 115 and 119 may be same as or different from each other.

In addition, a clad layer (not shown) may be formed on or under the first or/and second active layers 115 and 119. The clad layer may be an AlGaN layer. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

The third electrode contacting layer 121 is formed on the second active layer 119. The third electrode contacting layer 121 comprises at least one n-type semiconductor layer and doped with n-type dopants. The n-type semiconductor layer may be formed of a compound semiconductor material selected from the group consisting of GaN, InN, AN, InGaN, AlGaN, InAlGaN, AlInN, and a combination thereof. The n-type dopants comprise IV group elements such as Si, Ge, Sn, Se, Te, and the like. Here, as the word “third electrode contacting layer 121” is just for the descriptive convenience, it has a same function as the first electrode contacting layer 113.

A transparent electrode layer (not shown) may be formed on the third electrode contacting layer 121.

The materials for the respective first and third electrode contacting layers 113 and 121 may be same as or different from each other. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The first and third electrode contacting layers 113 and 121 may be the n-type semiconductor layers while the second electrode contacting layer 117 is the p-type semiconductor layer. Alternatively, The first and third electrode contacting layers 113 and 121 may be the p-type semiconductor layers while the second electrode contacting layer 117 is the n-type semiconductor layer. In addition, a thin n-type or p-type semiconductor layer may be formed on the third electrode contacting layer 121.

After the third electrode contacting layer 121 or the transparent electrode is formed, a MESA etching process is performed to expose a part of the first electrode contacting layer 113 and a part of the second electrode contacting layer 117. The first electrodes 131 and 133 are formed on the respective first and third electrode contacting layers 113 and 121. The second electrode 135 is formed on the second electrode contacting layer 117. One of the first electrodes 131 and 133 may be omitted.

The first electrodes 131 and 133 may be formed of a material selected from the group consisting of Ti, Al, In, Ta, Pd, Co, Ni, Si, Ge, Ag, Au, and a combination thereof. Each of the first electrodes 131 and 133 may be a single layer structure or a multi-layer structure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The second electrode 135 may be formed of a material selected from the group consisting of Ag, Ag alloy, Ni, Al, Al alloy, Rh, Pd, Jr, Ru, Mg, Zn, Pt, Au, Hf, and a combination thereof. The second electrode 135 may be a single layer structure or a multi-layer structure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

Here, the first electrodes 131 and 133 formed on the respective first and third electrode contacting layers 113 and 121 may be interconnected by a wire or a conductive thin film.

The semiconductor light emitting device 100 comprises the plurality of active layers 115 and 119 and thus the effective light emitting area is enlarged by two times as compared to a same size chip.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a current path of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a semiconductor light emitting device according to a first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, when a current I is supplied to the electrodes 131, 135, and 133, ½(I/2) of the current I supplied to the second electrode contacting layer 117 is transferred to the first electrode contacting layer 113 through the first active layer 115 and the rest (½(I/2)) of the current I is transferred to the third electrode contacting layer 121 through the second active layer 119. As a result, the semiconductor light emitting device 100 can be driven with a less operational voltage than an existing device even when a same current as the existing device is supplied while a similar intensity of the light is output.

In addition, in the semiconductor light emitting device 100, the current density is reduced by half and the operational voltage is reduced, thereby improving the luminance efficiency. At this point, the intensity of the light is a same as the existing device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a semiconductor light emitting device according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a light emitting diode of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the semiconductor light emitting device 100 is structured such that the second electrode contacting layer 117 is disposed between the first and third electrode contacting layers 113 and 121 and the first and second active layers 115 and 119 are disposed between the first and third electrode contacting layers 117 and 121. Therefore, the first electrode contacting layer 113, the first active layer 115, and the second electrode contacting layer 121 formed a first light emitting diode D1 and the third electrode contacting layer 121, the second active layer 119, and the second electrode contacting layer 117 formed a second light emitting diode D2.

The first and second light emitting diodes D1 and D2 may be arranged in parallel in terms of a circuit structure.

The first electrodes 131 and 133 on the respective first and third electrode contacting layers 113 and 121 may function as cathodes that are commonly connected. The second electrode 117 on the second electrode contacting layer 117 may function as an anode.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a semiconductor light emitting device according to a second embodiment. In the following description, same parts as those of the first embodiment will refer to the first embodiment and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 5, a transparent electrode layer 123 may be formed on the third electrode contacting layer 121. The transparent electrode layer 123 is a transparent oxide layer that is formed to enhance the diffusion of the current on an entire surface of the chip. The transparent electrode may be formed of ITO, ZnO, RuOx, TiOx, IrOx, and the like.

A part of the first electrode contacting layer 113 and a part of the second electrode contacting layer 117 are exposed through a MESA etching process. Here, electrode forming regions may be formed by etching insulating layers 137 formed on a surface of the semiconductor layer. Alternatively, the insulating layers 137 may be formed on the surface of the semiconductor layer except for the electrode forming regions. That is, the electrode forming method is not specifically limited.

The first electrodes 131 and 133 are formed on the first electrode contacting layer 113 and the transparent electrode layer 123, respectively. The second electrode 135 is formed on the second electrode contacting layer 117. Here, the first electrode 133 may be formed on the third electrode contacting layer 121.

The first electrode 131 on the first electrode contacting layer 113 and the first electrode 133 on the third electrode contacting layer 121 may be interconnected by an electrode connecting layer 130. The electrode connecting layer 130 is formed on the insulating layer 137 to be electrically insulated from other semiconductor layers. Here, the electrodes 131 and 133, the electrode connecting layer 130, and the insulating layers 137 may be grown through a PECVD or sputtering process. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a semiconductor light emitting device according to a third embodiment. In the following description, same parts as those of the first embodiment will refer to the first embodiment and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 6, a vertical type semiconductor light emitting device 100A is structured to have a conductive substrate 111A at its lower portion. The conductive substrate 111A may be formed after removing the substrate 111 of FIG. 1 or by making the substrate 111 of FIG. 1 conductive. The removal of the substrate may be realized through a laser lift off (LLO) process.

The conductive substrate 111A is provided to support a light emitting diode chip. The conductive substrate 111A may be formed of Si or Mo and attached to the device. Alternatively, the conductive substrate 111A may be formed by thickly plating Cu.

Since the conductive substrate 111A is electrically connected to the first electrode contacting layer 113, there is no need to form the first electrode or to perform the MESA etching process.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating mounting of the semiconductor light emitting device of FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 7, the vertical type semiconductor light emitting device 100A is mounted on a sub-mount 140. The sub-mount 140 may be a semiconductor substrate formed of SiC, GaN, GaAs, Si, and the like, a lead frame type support, an electroplating type support, or a normal PCB, a flexible PCB. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration.

The conductive substrate 111A is attached on a first electrode pad 141 of the sub-mount 140 by conductive adhesive. The first electrode 133 on the third electrode contacting layer 121 is connected to the first electrode pad 141 of the sub-mount 140 by a wire 145.

The second electrode 135 on the second electrode contacting layer 117 may be connected to the second electrode pad 142 of the sub-mount 140 by a wire 147.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating mounting of a semiconductor light emitting device according to a fourth embodiment. In the following description, same parts as those of the second embodiment will refer to the second embodiment and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 8, a semiconductor light emitting device 100B is structured to have a conductive substrate 111A at its lower portion, and structured to be mounted on a sub-mount by one wire 147. The conductive substrate 111A is attached on the first electrode pad 141 of the sub-mount 140 by the conductive adhesive so that the first electrode pad 141 can be electrically connected to the first electrode contacting layer 113. The first electrode 131 on the first electrode contacting layer 113 is electrically connected to the first electrode 133 on the transparent electrode layer 123 through the electrode connecting layer 130.

The second electrode 135 of the second electrode contacting layer 117 is connected to the second electrode pad 142 of the sub-mount by the wire 147.

The third contacting layer 121 is connected to the first electrode 133 through the transparent electrode layer 123, the first electrodes 131 and 133 are connected through the electrode connecting layer 130, the conductive substrate 111A is connected to the first electrode 131 through the first connecting layer 113, and the first electrode pad 141 is connected to the conductive substrate 111A.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating flip-type mounting of the semiconductor light emitting device according to the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, the first electrode 131 of the semiconductor light emitting device 100 is connected to a first electrode pad 161 of a sub-mount 160 by a first bump (e.g., Au bump) 151. The second electrode 135 is connected to a second electrode pad 162 of the sub-mount 160 by a second bump 152. The first electrode 133 is connected to the first electrode pad 161 of the sub-mount 160 by a third bump 153.

FIGS. 10 to 12 are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of fabricating a semiconductor device according to a fifth embodiment. In the following description, same parts as those of the first embodiment will refer to the first embodiment and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 10, a first electrode contacting layer 213 is formed on a substrate 211 and a first active layer 215 is formed on the firs electrode contacting layer 213. A second electrode contacting layer 217 is formed on the first active layer 215. A second active layer 219 is formed on the second electrode contacting layer 217 and a third electrode contacting layer 221 is formed on the second active layer 219. A variety of other layers such as a buffer layer or/and an undoped GaN layer may be formed between the substrate 211 and the first electrode contacting layer 213.

Referring to FIG. 11, a reflective electrode layer 225 is formed on the third electrode contacting layer 221 and a conductive supporting member 227 is formed on the reflective electrode layer 225. The reflective electrode layer 225 comprises Al, Ag, Pd, Rh, Pt, and the like. The conductive supporting member 227 may be formed of copper or gold. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the substrate 111 is removed through the LLO process and the conductive supporting member 227 is located on the base. Here, the variety of other layers formed between the substrate 111 and the first electrode contacting layer 213 may be removed through a dry or wet etching process.

After the above, a part of the second electrode contacting layer 217 is exposed through a MESA etching process. A second electrode 235 is formed on the second electrode contacting layer 217 and a first electrode 231 is formed on the first electrode contacting layer 213.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of mounting of a semiconductor light emitting device according to the fifth embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13, the first electrode 231 is connected to a first electrode pad 241 of a sub-mount 240 by a wire 245 and the second electrode 235 is connected to a second electrode pad 242 of the sub-mount by a wire 247.

According to the semiconductor light emitting device of the embodiment, the light emitting area can be enlarged by forming the plurality of active layers. That is, the effective area of the light emitting region can be enlarged in a same LED chip. In addition, since the current density is reduced to improve the luminance efficiency.

In addition, each layer of the semiconductor light emitting device of the embodiment comprises a compound semiconductor using elements of III-V group. For example, the layers may be formed of a GaN-based, GaAs-based, InGaAlp-based, or AlGaAs-based material.

In the following description, it will be understood that when a layer (or film) is referred to as being on another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the another layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. Further, it will be understood that when a layer is referred to as being under another layer, it can be directly under the another layer, and one or more intervening layers may also be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being between two layers, it can be the only layer between the two layers, or one or more intervening layers may also be present.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrat ive embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the embodiments, the effective light emitting area can enlarged as compared to a chip size of the semiconductor light emitting device.

In addition, a density of a current supplied to the semiconductor light emitting device can be reduced, the efficiency of the light emitting device can be improved.

Further, the reliability of the semiconductor light emitting device can be improved. 

1. A semiconductor light emitting device, comprising: a first electrode contacting layer; a first active layer on the first electrode contacting layer; a second electrode contacting layer on the first active layer; a second active layer on the second electrode contacting layer; and a third electrode contacting layer on the second active layer.
 2. The semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the first and third electrode contacting layers are n-type semiconductor layers; and the second electrode contacting layer is a p-type semiconductor layer.
 3. The semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the first and third electrode contacting layers are p-type semiconductor layers; and the second electrode contacting layer is an n-type semiconductor layer.
 4. The semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 1, comprising: first electrodes on the respective first and third electrode contacting layers; and a second electrode on the second electrode contacting layer.
 5. The semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a transparent electrode, reflective electrode, and conductive supporting substrate is formed on the third electrode contacting layer.
 6. The semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 4, comprising a first electrode connecting layer interconnecting the first electrodes and a insulating layer formed inside the first electrode connecting layer to insulate other layers.
 7. The semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of an undoped semiconductor layer, buffer layer, and substrate is formed under the first electrode contacting layer.
 8. The semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein one of non-conductive or conductive substrates is formed under the first electrode contacting layer.
 9. The semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 4, wherein the first and second electrodes are mounted by at least one wire or through a flip method.
 10. A semiconductor light emitting device comprising: a plurality of first electrode contacting layers spaced apart from each other; a second electrode contacting layer between the first electrode contacting layers; a plurality of active layers between the first and second electrode contacting layers; and a first electrode electrically connected to the first electrode contacting layers.
 11. The semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 10, wherein the first electrode contacting layers comprise a n-type or p-type semiconductor layer.
 12. The semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 10, wherein a current density of the first electrode contacting layer is ½.
 13. The semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 10, wherein each of the layers comprise a III-V group compound semiconductor.
 14. The semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 10, wherein the first and second electrode contacting layers are interconnected in parallel in terms of a circuit structure.
 15. The semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 10, the active layers is formed a plurality of light emitting device in terms of a circuit structure.
 16. A method of fabricating a semiconductor light emitting device, the method comprising: forming a first electrode contacting layer; forming a first active layer on the first electrode contacting layer; forming a second electrode contacting layer on the first active layer; forming a second active layer on the second electrode contacting layer; and forming a third electrode contacting layer on the second active layer.
 17. The method according to claim 16, comprising forming at least one of a transparent electrode, reflective electrode, and conductive supporting substrate on the third electrode contacting layer.
 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein each of the first and third electrode contacting layer is a n-type or p-type semiconductor layer.
 19. The method according to claim 16, comprising: exposing a part of the first electrode contacting layer and a part of the second electrode contacting layer; forming a first electrode on least one of the first and third electrode contacting layers; and forming a second electrode on the second electrode contacting layer.
 20. The method according claim 19, wherein the first and third contacting layers are commonly connected. 